The Wicklow Way

The complete Wicklow Way is a linear, point-to-point national trail of about 130 km one way, running north to south from Marlay Park in Rathfarnham on the edge of Dublin to the village of Clonegal in County Carlow. It is normally split into 6 or 7 sections walked over 6 to 7 days, with roughly 52 hours of walking and about 3,900 m of climbing in total. It is rated strenuous and is not a day hike.

The honest tradeoff is that the big mountain scenery is concentrated in the middle, around Djouce, Lough Tay, Glendalough, Mullacor and Lugduff. The far northern and southern ends are more forest road, farmland and quiet lane.

• Stage 1: out of the city through Kilmashogue forest, past ancient burial tombs, climbing toward Prince William's Seat and on to Knockree.
• Stage 2: riverside walking and Crone Wood, a view across to Powerscourt Waterfall, then open mountain below Djouce, the J.B. Malone memorial above Lough Tay, and on toward Lough Dan and Oldbridge.
• Stage 3: across the Avonmore River, up by Paddock Hill, down into Glenmacnass, over Brockagh Mountain and into Glendalough.
• Stage 4: the Green Road out of Glendalough, Poulanass Waterfall, a long forest road climb to the boggy saddle between Mullacor and Lugduff, then a steep drop into Glenmalure.
• Stages 5 and 6: the quieter southern half through the Wicklow Uplands past Iron Bridge, Ballyteige, Moyne and Crossbridge, then Raheenakit Forest, Stokeen, Moylisha and Urelands hills before the descent to the River Derry and Clonegal.

The route is signed throughout with yellow walking arrows on black marker poles, which is reassuring in forest but easier to lose in mist on open mountain. Carry waterproof footwear, proper rain and wind layers, and an offline map or GPS track for the upland crossings. Some sections follow public roads and pass through farmland, so walk considerately and keep to the line of the trail.

The views worth planning around are the J.B. Malone memorial above Lough Tay, the open mountain outlooks on the high central stages, the Glendasan crossing beside the monastic landscape at Glendalough, the boardwalk under Mullacor, and the rural lanes near Moyne. Low morning and evening light suits the open ground and the boardwalk lines; the forest and river sections photograph well under flat overcast. Long summer daylight makes the bigger stages comfortable, while shorter days outside summer either lengthen your walking hours or force extra overnight stops. Bog and upland ground stays wet well after rain in any season.

The northern trailhead is at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, at 53.27733, -6.26842. Because the walk is point-to-point, parking there is a start access only. Arrange your return from Clonegal, and any between-stage transfers, before you set out.

Dogs should be under close control, and should only be taken onto hills or farmland with the landowner's permission. Where the route passes through Wicklow Mountains National Park, dogs must be on a lead at all times. Do not assume dogs are welcome along the whole length of the route.

If you want the lake and boardwalk scenery without a week-long commitment, the blue Spinc route from Glendalough is a marked day loop. Note also that the Red Route, Spinc and the Wicklow Way, is a separate Glendalough day loop and not this trail.